Posts Tagged With: love

Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk

Posted on March 23, 2025 by tricialathrop

March 22

I came to see my grandchildren, Sierra and Sawyer. It’s been seven months since I have seen them in person. We’ve done some video chats, and while that is better than nothing, nothing replaces the personal touch. One of Norm’s greatest griefs, he did not see or hug his grandchildren since he got sick.

But before that, we had them with us for a full week of fun and laughter. We were able to visit them for Sawyer’s birthday…after that, video chats only…in the last few months, video recordings from them to their Poppop.

It’s bittersweet. Each event, playtime, eating…all remind me of what they lost in their Poppop. He played with them wholeheartedly, entering their imaginative play without hesitation. He switched scenarios with them as they brought new challenges to light.

They went on bear hunts, played hospital with all the stuffed animals, managed zoos, went to school, had great adventures of every kind.

They know he is gone, I know that because not once did they ask when Poppop was coming. Their conversations of him were sweet, filled with the laughter that signified their times with Poppop.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and now flow as I consider the loss to my grandchildren of their Poppop who loved them and would do anything for them.

Where’s the joy?

I am thankful for all the times Sierra and Sawyer had with Poppop. They have some physical reminders, a clubhouse, a mud kitchen and a climbing wall which he built for them.

I pray for them, that they will come to know the Lord and to follow Him as Norm loved the Lord.

I rejoice that the memories are good.

Where’s the joy? It is in the laughter and joy of youth, who rejoice each day in all that life brings their way…and can always find the good in it.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives ones such child in My name receives Me;” Matthew 7:1-5

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Where’s the Joy?

Posted on December 24, 2024 by tricialathrop

December 23

The word for today is love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life.” John 3:16.

Some of us grew up with the Monty Python view of God, a big foot dropping out of the sky to squish us no matter how hard we try. Some think that God looks for a reason to condemn us so that He can punish us. Some think God looks down on us from Heaven, without caring for us. Others think He doesn’t exist at all.

Jesus came to earth and presented God as a loving Father who cares for the people He created.

One thing Norm says he has learned through this ordeal is that God loves him. He has experienced love from his family, friends, and even people he does not know have reached out and pray for him by name. They do this without Norm having to do anything in return.

Before our children and grandchildren were born, they were loved. When they arrived, the first few weeks they were just eating and pooping machines…but they were loved just the same. They were loved before their first smile, their first word, or their first achievement.

I’ve met families with broken relationships, where the children ran away from their parents. I get it, some parents are mean and abusive. Some parents become addicted to drugs or alcohol and are bad parents. It’s not always the parent’s fault, sometimes, the child comes from a loving family, but makes bad choices.

God’s love transcends all human love. He loves even those who despise and deny Him. He loves the one who lives a sinful life as well as the one who tries to live a righteous life. He wants to be in relationship with each of us, and to that end, He sent Jesus Christ to earth.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have no received the reconciliation. Romans 5:6-11

I am thankful for God’s love that does not depend on my words or actions.

I pray for those in broken relationships, that forgiveness will be offered and received and that families will be reconciled.

I rejoice that God loves all people and desires that all come to a saving knowledge of Him.

Where’s the joy? Jesus came to earth so that I can have life.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom His is pleased.” Luke 2:7-14

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Getting Along

Posted on May 7, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 20 of 49

I walked into a restaurant the other day and a sign on the door said, “Be kind to the people who have shown up to serve you today.” What had happened in this restaurant that they felt they needed a sign?

It seems that rude behavior is on the rise. We live in an age where people get offended over everything, whether small or big. People now get offended because someone else got offended. 

Jesus had an answer for this. It’s not one we like because it means setting aside our own personal rights and demands. A citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven will practice forgiveness, mercy and grace towards others.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 

And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Mt 5:39-42.

Revenge often becomes a game of one-upmanship. It can escalate to the point that two friends no longer talk to each other. The Law limited the revenge one could take. One could not take an eye and an ear for an injury to the eye. 

But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. 

Ex 21:23–25.

Before I go on, I need to say something. This is not about abuse. If you are in a situation where you are being abused physically, verbally, or emotionally, then pray for your abuser, but find a way out. There are many places where one can get help today if abuse is happening.

Jesus explained a better way than revenge. His recommendations are radical and counter-culture to the way of the world.

If someone insults you, slaps you on the cheek, don’t insult back. Let the insults happen.

If someone sues you, give them more than they ask for.

If anyone forces you to go a mile…This is specific for this time period. A Roman soldier could demand anyone to carry their equipment for one mile. Jesus told them to not only carry it for the mile, but take the equipment of their oppressors another mile.

Give to everyone who asks of you. 

Radical thinking!

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. 

Pr 20:22.

And as if this was not tough enough,  Jesus went on to explain how we should treat our enemies. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

Mt 5:43-45.

Rabbis and Pharisees discussed the question, “Who is my enemy?”. The answers ranged from someone we dislike to someone who is out to do us harm. 

Jesus made it clear that we are to love our brother, our neighbor and those who persecute us. 

What would our witness about the Lord be like if we took this to heart?

  • If we took the insults of those who disagree with us, pray for them and do something nice for them.
  • If we showed kindness to everyone we meet, even those who chose a different lifestyle.
  • If we responded without complaint when someone bad mouths us. Perhaps we could even find a kind word to say back.

Lord you love us even when we don’t show love to the people around us. Open our eyes to opportunities to share the love that you have showered on us.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 

And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 

Mt 5:46-48.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Blog at WordPress.com.